Spanish Catholics are rallying to defend the Valley of the Fallen monument and its towering 492-foot cross as the government seeks to redefine the site under the controversial 2022 Law of Democratic Memory.

At a Glance

• The Valley of the Fallen, housing over 30,000 Spanish Civil War victims, faces “resignification” by Spain’s government seeking to transform it from a Franco-era memorial to a symbol of democracy
• Catholics fear the government’s true intent is to secularize the site by eventually removing religious symbols and displacing the resident Benedictine community
• The government has already removed 35 public crosses nationwide under the Law of Democratic Memory
• Critics, including European Parliament members, argue the site represents Spain’s spiritual heritage and should remain under Church protection
• The dispute reflects broader tensions between Spain’s secular government and Catholic Church over religious property rights

Historical Context and Current Controversy

The Valley of the Fallen, located near Madrid, contains a massive Benedictine abbey and is one of Spain’s most recognizable religious landmarks. Built as a memorial for victims from both sides of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the site has become the center of an intensifying cultural and religious dispute. While the government characterizes it primarily as a monument to former dictator Francisco Franco, many Catholics view it as a sacred memorial to all war victims and an important religious heritage site.

The Spanish Civil War, often overlooked in Western history education, saw extreme persecution of Catholics by communist forces. According to historical records, communist revolutionaries executed “13 bishops, 4,172 priests, 2,364 monks and friars and 283 nuns and sisters” during this period, highlighting the religious dimension of the conflict that the current government’s narrative often minimizes.

Government Plans for “Resignification”

Under Spain’s 2022 Law of Democratic Memory, the government intends to transform the Valley of the Fallen from what they describe as a monument honoring Franco into a symbol representing “democracy, Europe, reconciliation, and memory.” This process, called “resignification,” has alarmed religious conservatives who see it as part of a broader pattern of secularization efforts across Spain.

According to one government minister, Félix Bolaños: the government and the church are going to work hand in hand to give new meaning to the monument, “which was to the dictator [Franco] and now it will be to democracy, to Europe, to reconciliation, and to memory.”

Critics point to the government’s record of removing religious symbols across Spain. Under the same law, authorities have already removed 35 public crosses throughout the country. Many Catholics fear the Valley’s iconic cross—the tallest in the world—could eventually face a similar fate despite current assurances to the contrary.

Church Property Rights Under Pressure

The Valley of the Fallen dispute comes amid broader tensions over Church property throughout Spain. In 2021, the Spanish government challenged the Catholic Church’s ownership of thousands of properties registered under a 1998 law that allowed simple declaration of ownership. The government report claimed that 34,961 assets registered before 2015 included many non-religious properties that should return to public ownership.

The Church maintains it rightfully possesses these properties, which were created and entrusted to it by Catholics over centuries for religious and charitable purposes. Church officials have indicated willingness to review registrations if better ownership claims emerge, but resist blanket challenges to Church property rights.

Catholic Response and Call to Action

Prominent Catholics and conservative politicians have begun mobilizing to protect the Valley’s religious character. Victor Gonzáles, a former Spanish Parliament member, has called for defending both the cross and the site’s monastic tradition. European Parliament member Hermann Tertsch has raised concerns about the government’s long-term plans for the resident Benedictine community.

Catholic advocacy groups are urging Church leadership to take a firm stand in protecting the Valley’s religious character. They emphasize that beyond political considerations, the site represents Spain’s Christian heritage and serves as a memorial to thousands of Catholics who died during the Civil War. For many faithful Spaniards, preserving the Valley of the Fallen in its current form is seen as crucial to maintaining Spain’s religious identity in an increasingly secular Europe.